Fitz Toussaint ran 10 times for just 37 yards before the break, and quarterback Devin Gardner ran 11 times for 33 yards.

Ball carriers were routinely met in the backfield by at least one Connecticut tackler and Gardner was harassed in the pocket for most of the evening -- eventually getting sacked three times by a defensive unit that had not recorded a sack entering the game.

Graham Glasgow, Jack Miller and Kyle Kalis weren't great inside. And the tackles weren't much better. Taylor Lewan was beaten around the edge on a sack, and he was even flagged for a holding call that wiped out a big run in the second half.

For three quarters, the offensive line wasn't good enough. But, thanks to Toussaint, it really didn't matter.

The senior running back toted the ball 24 times for 120 yards and two scores Saturday -- his best day on the ground since November of 2011.

"I'll credit the offensive line for going out there and playing ball (late in the game)," Toussaint said. "We came out there and had a passion to us.

"And they opened some holes."

In the second half alone, Toussaint ran 14 times for 83 yards and two scores.

His first touchdown came on an option pitch, an audible from Gardner, that Michigan actually botched a week ago against Akron. Last week, Gardner hung onto the football and lost a fumble.

This time, he pitched it -- and Toussaint was able to square his shoulders, make a few cuts and polish off an impressive 35-yard sprint to paydirt.

"Before the play started, I knew it'd have to be a quick pitch like last week," Gardner said. "But this week, I actually responded to it. I pitched it and the result was a touchdown.

"A great run by Fitz."

The game was a true testament to what Toussaint has become as a running back at Michigan. He's not flashy, he doesn't break too many tackles and -- lately anyway -- he hasn't had much to work with.

But when Michigan called on Toussaint on Saturday, he delivered.

His numbers this season aren't eye-popping -- 319 yards and 5 touchdowns on 79 carries.

But, they've been well-earned. Toussaint has done nothing but run hard since Michigan announced he'd beaten out freshman phenom Derrick Green and the rest of the Wolverines' talented running backs early in fall camp.

But, at some point, he's going to need help. And so is Gardner.

The offensive line can't play poorly for three quarters and then wake up in the fourth in the Big Ten. It just won't be good enough.